For the privilege of occupancy in any hotel, each transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of 10% of the rent charged by the operator. The tax constitutes a debt owed by the transient to the city which is extinguished only by payment to the operator or to the city. The transient shall pay the tax to the operator of the hotel at the time the rent is paid. If the rent is paid in installments, a proportionate share of the tax shall be paid with each installment. The unpaid tax shall be due upon the transients ceasing to occupy space in the hotel. If for any reason the tax due is not paid to the operator of the hotel, the Director of Finance and Administrative Services may require that the tax shall be paid directly to the Director of Finance and Administrative Services.
('64 Code, § 21-12) (Ord. 251, passed 8-24-64; Ord. 408, passed 8-12-71; Ord. 692, passed 5-8-86; Ord. 791, passed 5-9-91; Am. Ord. 889, passed 6-11-98)